Humble in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Endangered Species

Preserving Imperiled Plants

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 17, 2026

1. Endangered Species Marker

Inscription. Loss of native plant species weakens the natural ecosystem, reduces the beauty and diversity around us, and depletes an irreplaceable gene pool that may hold the cures for diseases such as cancer. Habitat loss, introduction of invasive foreign plant and animal species, and over-collection are just a few of the threats to the nation's over 26,000 native plant species. Already, more than 200 species have become extinct and over 800 species are federally listed as endangered or threatened. About 5,000 native species in the United States are of conservation concern, which nearly equals the total number of native plant species that occur in Texas.

Mercer joined the Center for Plant Conservation (CPC) in 1989 as one of 39 selected botanical institutions in the United States assigned to care for the CPC's National Collection of Endangered Plants. The goal of the CPC is to restore plants in peril to the wild and remove them from the endangered species list.

Mercer is responsible for the care of over 24 species that are listed as endangered, threatened, or species of concern. Many of these species are included in Mercer's

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gene bank as seed or live plants, and are on display in the Endangered Species and Native Plant Garden. Mercer also hosts several rare native plant species from botanic facilities around the nation.

Although Mercer receives annual maintenance funds from the CPC to support the plant restoration activities of several sponsored species, including the species shown here, additional funding is needed to care for the remaining species. Every year, field botanists survey over 400 threatened native Texas plant species and determine which plants are at risk for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and The Nature Conservancy. Mercer reviews the results of these surveys and determines which East Texas plants should be candidates for the CPC's National Collection of Rare Plants. Mercer also cares for other rare native plants from the southeastern United States. How can YOU help native Texas plants?

Request a copy of Mercer's Preserving Imperiled Plants brochure and the Plant Conservation Tip Sheet for Gardeners in the Visitor Center, or visit www.hcp4.net/mercer/conservation.

"In the end we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught."

–Baba
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 17, 2026

2. Endangered Species Marker
Dioum, Senegalese environmentalist

Houston Camphor Daisy (Rayjacksonia aurea) is sponsored through the generosity of Lakewood Forest Garden Club; Crouch Environmental Services, Inc.; Aveda Cosmetics; Suzzanne Chapman, in honor of Blanca and William Othon; The Mercer Society; and Anita Tiller, in memory of Michael H. Tiller (2005).

Prairie Dawn (Hymenoxys texana) is sponsored through the generosity of The Garden Club of Houston, Kingwood Garden Club, The Mercer Society, and The John Koros Memorial (2004).

Southern Lady's-slipper Orchid (Cypripedium kentuckiense) is sponsored through the generosity of the Virginia Native Plant Society and Anne A. Rowley in honor of Jocelyn Sladen's birthday (2006).

The Endangered Species and Native Plant Garden is certified by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and National Wildlife Federation as a "Best of Texas Backyard Habitats Demonstration Garden." To learn more about how to certify your backyard, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us or www.nwf.org.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1989.

Location. 30° 2.328′ N,

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95° 22.801′ W. Marker is in Humble, Texas, in Harris County. It can be reached from Aldine Westfield Road north of Treaschwig Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in Mercer Botanic Gardens. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Houston TX 77073, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Healing Garden (a few steps from this marker); Don't Bag It — Compost It! (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Endangered Species (within shouting distance of this marker); Rain Gardens in Texas (within shouting distance of this marker); Monarch Habitat (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Endangered Species (within shouting distance of this marker); Shakespeare Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); If Tree Facts Give You a Headache.... (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Humble.

More about this marker. This is one of several signs with this title that can be found around the Endangered Species Garden at Mercer Botanic Gardens. Each has somewhat different text.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.